Metta World Peace feels betrayed by MJ the owner

As a kid in the Bronx, Metta World Peace grew up idolizing Michael Jordan as a basketball hero.

But Peace, formerly known as Ron Artest, doesn’t have many good words to say today after seeing Jordan take a heavy anti-union stand in the recent NBA labor negotiations.

Jordan, managing partner of the Charlotte Hornets, has been one of the most strident NBA owners arguing for a lower percentage of the basketball-related income for the players.

Those actions spoke loudly to players who remembered that Jordan once was one of othem.

“We were just supporting each other and Jordan came out and said the players need to do this and do that,” Peace told TMZ.com. “But we’re the same guys who looked up to Michael Jordan when we were kids. The same guys who wanted to fly like Mike and be like Mike.

“Even guys with different companies still love Mike and love his sneakers and everything. Guys felt like he didn’t support us when we most needed him. He’s an owner now, so I guess he’s on the other side.”

It will be interesting to see if Jordan’s strident position has any residual effect among NBA players to the most iconic figure in league history.

Here’s a copy of Peace’s interview with TMZ.com, courtesy of You Tube.